They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:10-11.

I have had the occasion recently to be in the presence of some pretty poorly behaved children. It seems that you can’t go in to a Department store, without being exposed to disrespectful, poorly behaved children.

I was raised in a home with a dad who was a strong disciplinarian, he didn’t hesitate to strike us. But he didn’t disciplining us in love, he disciplined in anger. The only thing that kind of discipline teaches is fear.

But that does not mean that all discipline is bad.

This world has come to a place in which it is simply unacceptable to discipline your children.

But children desire loving discipline. Children want to succeed and to please. But if we don’t set up rules and boundaries they have no idea how to be successful or please. Because, one moment this is acceptable yet in a different environment with different people suddenly this behavior makes mommy or daddy angry. Or, with mommy this behavior is acceptable but with daddy it’s not and when we are together then everything is acceptable and everything isn’t. They simply cannot please because they don’t know what the rules are.

The first of the 10 Commandments that God gave, that had a promise attached to it was children honor your Father and Mother. (“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12). Ephesians 6 repeats this verse but goes a step further (Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3.) It will go well with you and you’ll have a long life on the earth…because your parents will have taught you well how to relate to other people, how to follow the rules and the laws and how to be a good, Godly and loving person. If parents heed the next verse Ephesians 6:4, which tells parents what their responsibilities are (Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.).

If children are brought up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord they are being raised by Godly parents who love them and who are trying to raise them in a manner that would honor God and who are, disciplining in love.

We are to discipline our children the way that God disciplines us (My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. proverbs 3:11-12). He disciplines us as a loving Father does the child he loves and adores and that is a perfect picture of how we are to discipline our children.

God dearly loves us as his adopted children ( Romans 8:16 – The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God) and on occasion, yes he disciplines us. But he disciplines in love and we should not rebuke His discipline but instead should praise and thank a loving Heavenly Father who would take the time to teach and guide us.

I pray that today’s verses would remind us that discipline (in love) for our children and grandchildren is a good thing, and discipline for us (from a loving Heavenly Father) is good for us as well. I pray that we would praise our heavenly father and thank him that he would take the time to love and correct us and that he would be the greatest example of how to discipline and love. I pray that we would Go to Him in prayer, curl up in his lap, and bask in the warmth of His love.

If you do not know the incredible love of our Heavenly Father And if you do not have a personal relationship with our precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I pray that you would go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer that is outlined there. Our heavenly father has desired love you and adore you as his precious son/daughter but you have to except his grace and mercy. Please pray the prayer that’s outlined there I promise no earthly father will ever measure up to the love and adoration That our heavenly father wants to pour out on you.

Once you’ve prayed that prayer, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com, I’d love to be in prayer for you.

Luv ya!